In 1949, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball openly spoke about a list of ten commandments governing umpires during the game of baseball.

 

In June of 1949. Baseball Digest published that legendary list and even added the persons other than umpires might accept and put into practice some of Frick’s suggestions.

 

The 10 Commandments of Umpiring

By Ford C. Frick (1949)

 

1                                             Keep your eye on the ball.

2                                           Keep all your personalities out of your work.  Forget and Forgive.

3                                           Avoid sarcasm. Don’t insist on the last word.

4                                           Never charge a player and, above all, no pointing your finger or yelling.

5                                           Hear only the things you should hear – be deaf to others.

6                                           Keep your temper. A decision made in anger is never sound.

7                                           Watch your language.

8                                           Take pride in your work at all times.  Remember, Respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on.

9                                           Review your work.  You will find, if you are honest, that 90% of the trouble is traceable to loafing.

10                                        No matter what your opinion of another umpire, never make an adverse comment regarding him.  To do so is despicable and ungentlemanly.